Synopses & Reviews
Alfred S. Regnery, the publisher of andlt;iandgt;The American Spectatorandlt;/iandgt;, has been a part of the American conservative movement since childhood, when his father founded The Henry Regnery Company, which subsequently became Regnery Publishing -- the preeminent conservative publishing house that, among other notable achievements, published William F. Buckley's first book, andlt;iandgt;God and Man at Yaleandlt;/iandgt;. Including many uniquely personal anecdotes and stories, Regnery himself now boldly chronicles the development of the conservative movement from 1945 to the present. andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; The outpouring of grief at the funeral of Ronald Reagan in 2004 -- and the acknowledgment that Reagan has come to be considered one of the greatest presidents of the twentieth century -- is Regnery's opening for a fascinating insider story. Beginning at the start of the twentieth century, he shows how in the years prior to and just post World War II, expanding government power at home and the expanding Communist empire abroad inspired conservatives to band together to fight these threats. The founding of the andlt;iandgt;National Reviewandlt;/iandgt;, the drive to nominate Barry Goldwater first as vice-president and later as president, the apparent defeat of the conservative movement at the hands of Lyndon Johnson, and the triumphant rise of Ronald Reagan from the ashes are all chronicled in vivid prose that shows a uniquely intimate knowledge of the key figures. Regnery shares his views on the opposition that formed in response to Earl Warren's Supreme Court rulings, the role of faith (both Roman Catholic and Evangelical) in the renewed vigor of conservatism, and the contributing role of American businessmen who attempted to oppose big government. andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; andlt;iandgt;Upstreamandlt;/iandgt; ultimately gives perspective to how the most vibrant political and cultural force of our time has influenced American culture, politics, economics, foreign policy, and all institutions and sectors of American life.
Review
"The rise of conservatism in the United States over the past half-century has been one of the most important political developments of the age -- not only for America, but for the world. Much has been written about it, most of it under-researched and inaccurate. Alfred S. Regnery has now performed the invaluable task of writing a first-class and fully documented history of the movement. He describes its political and intellectual origins, its inventors, its leaders, its high and low points, and its achievements. He has a lot to say about the books and journals, the columnists and media commentators who drove it forward, and not least about the wealthy people and the foundations that supplied the financial means. In all, this is a valuable addition to our understanding of modern politics." -- Paul Johnson
Review
"Alfred Regnery's book is marvelously thought out and marvelously executed. He gives us paragraphs describing the territory he intends to explore, and suggesting what paths he will examine. He then, in fourteen chapters, gives us history, learning, and delight. I could not imagine that what he took on in this book could have interested and engrossed this old hand and old friend, but he leaves the reader panting with gratitude for his accomplishment, and smiling for his felicity." -- William F. Buckley, Jr.
Review
"Conservatism's long swim upstream into the mainstream has been wonderfully chronicled by Alfred Regnery, whose family has helped every stroke of the way. This is a book about, among many other things, the books that helped change how Americans think, vote, and live." -- George F. Will
Review
"Al Regnery, present at the creation of the modern conservative movement as a young boy, has been at its center as a leading book and magazine publisher. His masterful account blends ideological and political development, while vividly portraying the movement's thinkers and activists." -- Robert D. Novak
Synopsis
From the former publisher of the countrys most successful conservative publishing house comes an inside view of the American conservative movement, highlighting its most important moments and personalities.
About the Author
andlt;bandgt;Alfred S. Regneryandlt;/bandgt; is the former president and publisher of Regnery Publishing, Inc., which produced twenty-two andlt;Iandgt;New York Timesandlt;/iandgt; bestsellers during his tenure. Currently, he is the publisher of andlt;Iandgt;The American Spectatorandlt;/iandgt;.
Table of Contents
Contents
Preface
1. The Passing of a Conservative
2. It Wasn't Always That Way
3. Intellectual Underpinnings
4. A Movement Takes Off
5. Political Theory Becomes Real Politics
6. The Worst of Times
7. The Neocons, the New Right, and the Grassroots
8. The Bargain of a Lifetime
9. The Law, the Courts, and the Constitution
10. Intellectual Developments, 1960 to the Present
11. Ronald Reagan
12. Conservatives and Free Enterprise
13. Religion and American Conservatism
14. We Are All Conservatives Now
Notes Bibliography